The cases have been identified across three Upper East Side ZIP codes that include the neighborhoods of Carnegie Hill, Yorkville and Lenox Hill. Health officials believe the likely source of the outbreak is a cooling tower in the area that is releasing a mist containing Legionella bacteria.
Legionnaires' disease is a serious form of pneumonia that occurs when Legionella bacteria infect the lungs. Health officials emphasized that the outbreak is not linked to any building's plumbing system. Residents in the affected areas can continue to drink tap water, bathe, shower, cook and use their home air conditioning systems, according to the Health Department.
The city is testing every cooling tower in the affected area as investigators work to identify the source of the bacteria. Officials say they plan to release the addresses of any building whose cooling towers test positive during the initial screening process.
"Our goal here is to go and test every single cooling tower," said Dr. Alister Martin, the city's health commissioner. He noted that more than one tower could potentially be contributing to the outbreak. Officials said a comprehensive approach is the best way to address the issue.
City announces aggressive action to address Legionnaires' cluster on Upper East Side
Health officials urged anyone experiencing flu-like or pneumonia-like symptoms to seek medical attention. They also warned that the number of confirmed Legionnaires' disease cases is expected to continue to rise as testing and investigations continue.
Dr. Sutton on Legionnaires' cluster on Upper East Side
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